System and method for extending viewing angle of light emitted from light pipe

Abstract

Described is a system with a light pipe body having a first end and a second end, wherein a light source provides light beams at a first end of the light pipe body, the light beams traveling through the light pipe body. The system further includes a light-emitting surface coupled to the second end of the light pipe body, wherein the light beams travel from the light pipe body to the light-emitting surface. The system also has dispersion structures disposed on a surface of the light-emitting surface, wherein the dispersion structures are protrusions from the surface of the light-emitting surface, the light beams traveling from the light-emitting surface to the dispersion structures and being emitted from the dispersion structures at a plurality of angles.

1. A system, comprising:
 a light pipe body having a first end and a second end, wherein a light source provides light beams at a first end of the light pipe body, the light beams traveling through the light pipe body; 
 a light-emitting surface coupled to the second end of the light pipe body, wherein the light beams travel from the light pipe body to the light-emitting surface; and 
 a plurality of dispersion structures formed as raised protrusions on a surface portion of the light-emitting surface, a remaining portion of the light emitting surface being substantially flat, the light beams traveling from the portion of the light-emitting surface to the dispersion structures and being emitted from the dispersion structures at a plurality of angles, the light beams being refracted when emitted from the dispersion structures. 
 
   
   
     2. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the dispersion structures is substantially one of parabolic, conic and sinusoidal. 
   
   
     3. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispersion structures are substantially rotationally symmetrical about a vertical centerline. 
   
   
     4. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the light pipe body is comprised of one of glass, a polycarbonate and an acrylic. 
   
   
     5. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispersion structures have a first index of refraction which is higher than a second index of refraction of a medium into which the light beams are emitted. 
   
   
     6. The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the medium is air. 
   
   
     7. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the light beams arrives at a surface of one of the dispersion structures and is one of emitted without refraction, emitted with refraction and substantially internally reflected. 
   
   
     8. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of angles includes angles greater than 160°. 
   
   
     9. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein substantially all of the light beams entering the dispersion structures are emitted. 
   
   
     10. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface of one of the dispersion structures is one of polished and textured. 
   
   
     11. A method for dispersing light beams over a range of angles, comprising the steps of:
 receiving light beams into a body of a light pipe; 
 transmitting the light beams through the body of the light pipe to a substantially flat light-emitting surface of the light pipe; 
 further transmitting the light beams into dispersion structures formed as raised protrusions on a flat surface of the substantially flat light-emitting surface; 
 emitting a first portion of the light beams from the dispersion structures, wherein the first portion of light bean are emitted upon first contact with an emission surface of the dispersion structures, the first portion of light beams being refracted when emitted; and 
 emitting a second portion of the light beams from the dispersion structures, wherein the second portion of light beams are internally reflected upon first contact with the emission surface and emitted upon subsequent contact with the emission surface. 
 
   
   
     12. The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of: generating the light beams. 
   
   
     13. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a cross-section of the dispersion structures is substantially one of parabolic, conic and sinusoidal. 
   
   
     14. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the dispersion structures have a first index of refraction which is greater than a second index of refraction of a medium into which the light beams are emitted. 
   
   
     15. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of angles over which the first and second portion of the light beams are emitted includes one angle greater than 160°. 
   
   
     16. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein substantially all of the light beams entering the dispersion structures are emitted. 
   
   
     17. A dispersion structure, comprising:
 a light emitting surface including a plurality of protrusions protruding from a surface portion of the light-emitting surface, the light emitting surface further including a remaining surface portion being substantially flat, wherein light beams enter the dispersion structure, a first portion of the light beams being emitted upon first contact with an emission surface of the protrusions, the first portion of light beams being refracted when emitted from the protrusions, and a second portion of the light beams being internally reflected upon first contact with the emission surface and emitted upon subsequent contact with the emission surface, the first and second portions of the light beams being emitted over a plurality of angles. 
 
   
   
     18. The dispersion structure according to  claim 17 , wherein a cross-section of the dispersion structure is substantially one of parabolic, conic and sinusoidal. 
   
   
     19. The dispersion structure according to  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of angles includes one angle greater than 160°. 
   
   
     20. The dispersion structure according to  claim 17 , wherein the light beams are emitted in a pre-determined direction.